The proposed rule is intended to implement requirements relating to children/families in need of services, including standards for administering the programs and coordinating services.

DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
Prevention Programs

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
63C-1: Children/Families in Need of Service Programs
63C-1.001: Nonjudicial Procedures for Families Needing Services
63C-1.002: Coordinating Children-In-Need-of Services Programs
63C-1.003: NULL
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule is intended to implement requirements relating to children/families in need of services, including standards for administering the programs and coordinating services.
SUMMARY: The rule establishes the procedure by which children in need of services and their families may receive available services to preserve the unity and integrity of the family, while emphasizing parental responsibility, and along a continuum of increasing intensity and participation by the parent and child.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 20.316, 985.405, 985.404(8), 984.04(3) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 984.04(3), 985.404(8) FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
TIME AND DATE: Friday, December 1, 2006, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Department of Juvenile Justice Headquarters, 2737 Centerview Dr., General Counsel's Conference Room 312, Tallahassee, FL
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: John Milla, Asst. General Counsel, 2737 Centerview Dr., Ste. 312, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3100; Tel. [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

63C-1.001 Purpose and Scope.

The rule establishes the procedure by which children in need of services and their families may receive available services to preserve the unity and integrity of the family, while emphasizing parental responsibility, and along a continuum of increasing intensity and participation by the parent and child.

Specific Authority 20.316, 985.405, 985.404(8), 984.04(3) FS. Law Implemented 984.04(3), 985.404(8) FS. History–New_________.

 

63C-1.002 Nonjudicial Procedures for Families Needing Services.

(1) The department or its designated provider shall offer and refer services to families in need of services as available in the community. Where available, services may include, but are not limited to, crisis counseling, parent training, group and/or family counseling, community mental health services, referrals to other community services, access to short-term shelter for the youth, a case staffing committee meeting, and other services as set forth in Section 984.11, F.S.

(2) When a family seeks help or upon referral from a source outside the family, the following procedure shall govern:

(a) An intake counselor shall conduct a screening to determine if the family is eligible for services pursuant to Section 984.03(25), F.S. All available family members shall be interviewed as appropriate or relevant to the current needs of the child.

(b) If the family meets the definition of a “Family in need of services” pursuant to Section 984.03(25), F.S., referral for services shall be made for the family.

(c) If the family is not eligible for services, the family shall be notified and the family shall be referred to other community resources to assist the family.

Specific Authority 20.316, 985.405, 985.404(8), 984.04(3) FS. Law Implemented 984.04(3), 985.404(8) FS. History–New__________.

 

63C-1.003 Coordinating Children-in-Need-of-Services Programs.

(1) The department shall coordinate its efforts with those of the Federal Government, state agencies, county and municipal government, private agencies and child advocacy groups to ensure the administering program and service delivery to children in need of services in the following ways:

(a) The department shall establish an agreement and work in concert with the Department of Children and Families to claim federal Title IV-E maintenance funds for children served in shelters contracted to provide services to children and families in need of services. The department shall also comply with federal and state mandated monitoring of such funds.

(b) Subject to appropriations, the department shall establish programs and services for children/families in need of services through a provider or providers. The department, through this provider or providers, shall be responsible for ensuring coordinated use of resources at the local, state and federal levels as relevant by providing support and oversight through technical assistance, training, interagency agreements, contract management, data collection and advocacy.

(c) The department shall work with the local juvenile justice boards and councils throughout Florida’s judicial circuits to compile a list of available resources. These boards and councils shall coordinate local community resources.

(2) The department shall develop Quality Assurance Standards and conduct Quality Assurance site visits to ensure that children/families in need of services programs meet the following performance objectives:

(a) Provide a continuum of non-residential and residential services which have increasing levels of intensity and participation by youth and families.

(b) Provide services to youth and families that focus on resolution of family problems and conflicts in order to reduce or avoid the need for judicial intervention.

(c) Provide community outreach and education to the public at large and at-risk groups designed to increase public awareness of the needs of troubled youth and families and the services offered by children/families in need of services programs.

(d) Provide safe, humane and therapeutic temporary residential care for youth with a focus on family reunification or permanency in living arrangements.

(e) Provide follow-up, short-term aftercare services and/or referrals to longer term community services to address family reunification and presenting problems.

Specific Authority 20.316, 985.405, 985.404(8), 984.04(3) FS. Law Implemented 984.04(3), 985.404(8) FS. History–New_________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Kareemah Muhammad, Department of Juvenile Justice, Prevention and Victim Services
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Greg Johnson, Assistant Secretary, Department of Juvenile Justice Prevention and Victim Services
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 30, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: February 17, 2006